End of Airport Runway Gallery
Date Observed: Dec 17, 2005
Open water running through a slough into the Tanana River located above the mouth of the Chena River near the end of the airport runway. Processes Observed |
View of open spot along the bank of the Tanana River just below the end of the airport runway slough. Processes Observed |
Unidentified orange substance in the water by the end of the airport runway slough. Sample analysis by Knut Kielland identified it as an iron oxidizing bacteria. Processes Observed |
Close up of iron oxidizing bacteria in shallow water at the end of the airport runway. This December sighting appeared to be unusual because group members mentioned having seen it only in the spring. Processes Observed |
Downstream view of open water along the bank near the end of the airport runway. Processes Observed |
Another view of the open water and dangerous ice of the site at the end of the airport runway. Processes Observed |
Shallow spot of open water with the muddy bottom visible. Processes Observed |
Soft and warm muddy area near where the slough at the end of the airport runway enters the main Tanana River. Processes Observed |
Date Observed: Feb 2, 2006
An open water spot along the bank at the end of the airport runway that is now frozen over. Processes Observed |
Close up of small area of water near the end of the airport runway that could be hidden to a traveler. Processes Observed |
Upriver portion of the refrozen area at the end of the airport runway. Processes Observed |
Sam Demientieff testing water temperature with his hand at the end of the airport runway. William Schneider (left) and William Demoski looking on. A temperature probe was inserted ten centimeters into the sediment and produced a reading of 2.2 degrees Celsius. Processes Observed |
Sam Demientieff collecting a sample of the orange iron oxidizing bacteria on a stick at the end of the airport runway. Processes Observed |
Date Observed: Apr 8, 2006
Sam Demientieff talking with Karen Brewster about changes in the river channels effecting this area near the end of the airport runway. Processes Observed |
Beginning of spring melt exposing sand and water at end of the airport runway. The group speculates that the open water at this site is created by re-routing of the slough when the levee and airport were built. Processes Observed |
Iron oxidizing bacteria in an open water area as seen looking towards the mouth of the Chena River from the end of the airport runway. Processes Observed |
Close up of running water and iron oxidizing bacteria in an area of open water at the end of the airport runway. Sam Demientieff and Karen Brewster talk about the presence of a strong smell. Processes Observed |
Date Observed: Dec 16, 2006
A small area of open water along the bank. Sometimes there is open water here and sometimes there is not. The drop in water level on the main river and the development of sand bars has effected the flow of the water. Processes Observed |
A close-up view of an open spot along the edge of the Tanana River discovered during recent warm weather. Processes Observed |
Looking up from the river at the levee at the end of the airport runway. Processes Observed |
Neil Scannell talks about the purpose of the levee at the end of the airport runway. Processes Observed |
Sam Demientieff talks about recent warm weather creating open spots along the edge of the Tanana River near the end of the airport runway, and looking for the presence of orange substance. Processes Observed |
Sam Demientieff talking about how at this spot at the end of the airport runway more water is coming in from the side slough versus from the channel of the Tanana River. The drop in water level on the main river and the development of sandbars has effected the flow of the water. Processes Observed |
Date Observed: Dec 17, 2007
A newly opened spot of open water near the end of the airport runway levee. Processes Observed |
Looking east up the main channel of the Tanana River from the end of the airport runway. Processes Observed |
Recently refrozen, thin and weak ice, as seen here at the end of the airport runway, looks different from solid ice. Processes Observed |
A pile of driftwood near the end of the airport runway left behind on a sandbar after water levels drop. Processes Observed |
Sam Demientieff talks about how changes in the channels of the Tanana River have cut through the sand bar and brought more water past this site. Open water is blocking access to the levee that we walked onto in previous years. Processes Observed |
While standing at the end of the airport runway, Sam Demientieff talks about how quickly overflow can develop and then re-freeze. Processes Observed |
Sam Demientieff talks about the development of overflow and the effect of temperature and water levels. Processes Observed |
William (Bill) Demoski demonstrates how to test for bad ice. Processes Observed |
Date Observed: Feb 12, 2010
Sam Demientieff stands next to a large area of open water near the end of the airport runway. Processes Observed |
This channel of open water at the end of the airport runway regularly occurs, but varies in size and shape from year to year. Processes Observed |
Sam Demientieff and Knut Kielland talk about how changes to the main channel of the Tanana River and erosion of ice from below effect the presence of open water here. Processes Observed |
Date Observed: Mar 23, 2011
Deteriorating ice conditions in late spring at the end of the airport runway. Processes Observed |
Sam Demientieff talks about how the channel of the Tanana River has changed and diverted water away from this site, so there is less water running past this spot. Processes Observed |
While standing at the end of the airport runway, the view looking across toward the main channel of the Tanana River on the far side. Looking from one sandbar to the next, with questionable ice in between. Processes Observed |
Break in ice on the main snowmachine trail at the end of the airport runway as ice collapses and deteriorates with the onset of Spring. Processes Observed |
Dangerous open hole in the middle of the main snowmachine trail at the end of the airport runway. Processes Observed |
Sam Demientieff mentions how this spot has opened up just within a week. Processes Observed |
While standing at the end of the airport runway, Sam Demientieff talks about changes in the river channel. Processes Observed |
While standing at the end of the airport runway, Sam Demientieff talks about how the river is unpredictable in the spring during breakup and creates ice jams. Processes Observed |
Open water and holes hidden by snow cover at the end of the airport runway. Processes Observed |
Overflow and water seepage, like seen here at the end of the airport runway, can be unseen and cause dangers for travelers. Processes Observed |